Imperialism

Colonization in 1800

Imperialism in 1900

Imperialism Imperialism  Definition: control by a powerful nation over a “backward,” or weaker territory.  The Powerful Nation typical had:  1) an advanced economy  2) a strong government  3) considerable military strength  The Weaker Territory typically had:  1) untapped natural resources  2) primitive economy  3) weak government  4) limited military power

Imperialism (background)  19 th century; most had little interest in colonies  only France & Britain involved in expansion overseas The British attitude – colonies were “millstones around our necks”The British attitude – colonies were “millstones around our necks”  dramatic change in events the powers of Europe sought colonies for prestige & resourcesthe powers of Europe sought colonies for prestige & resources Focused mostly on conquests in Africa and AsiaFocused mostly on conquests in Africa and Asia

What caused the “New Imperialism”?  1) Economic motivation  The Industrial Revolution pushed industrialized nations to seek colonies Colonies would:Colonies would: A) provide cheap raw materialsA) provide cheap raw materials B) provide markets to sell their manufactured goodsB) provide markets to sell their manufactured goods  Since most nations had high tariffs, colonies were viewed as a necessity for the future

What caused the “New Imperialism”?  2) Nationalism Colonies were linked to national prestigeColonies were linked to national prestige Many Social Darwinists viewed the acquisition of colonies as proof of the health or strength of the nationMany Social Darwinists viewed the acquisition of colonies as proof of the health or strength of the nation  3) Militarism Colonies would provide essential military bases and war materialsColonies would provide essential military bases and war materials  4) Population issues: Colonies provided an outlet for the surplus populationColonies provided an outlet for the surplus population

What caused the “New Imperialism”?  5) Humanitarian Concerns: duty of the ‘advanced’ peoples to bring others civilizationduty of the ‘advanced’ peoples to bring others civilization the “white man’s burden”the “white man’s burden” missionaries want to Christianizemissionaries want to Christianize  6) Accident: politicians often did not control all events motivating the push for colonies Frequently a nation’s efforts to gain colonies wasn’t even a real policyFrequently a nation’s efforts to gain colonies wasn’t even a real policy

Cecil Rhodes  Envisioned a Cape Town to Cairo railroad  Famous for having stated: “Expansion is everything, … I would annex the planets if I could.”  The quotation embodies the attitude of the Great Powers during the New Imperialism

Imperialist Possessions in Africa (1914) Imperialist Powers

 Pygmies and a European explorer. Some pygmies would be exposed in human zoos, such as Ota Benga displayed by eugenicist Madison Grant in the Bronx Zoo.

Imperialism in Asia (late 19 th and early 20 th century)

 Imperialist Powers divide China into spheres of influence

Imperialism in China (cont’d)  A shocked mandarin in Manchu robe in the back, with Queen Victoria (Great Britain), Wilhelm II (Germany), Nicholas II (Russia), Marianne (France), and an Emperor Meiji (Japan) discussing how to cut up a plate with Chine ("China" in French) written on it.

Japan Becomes an Imperialist Power

Japan Responds to Imperialism  I. The Opening of Japan ( ) Commodore Matthew PerryCommodore Matthew Perry Opening of Japanese portsOpening of Japanese ports  II. The Westernization of Japan ( ) Japanese fear of foreign dominationJapanese fear of foreign domination Japan rapidly transforms from a medieval to a modern stateJapan rapidly transforms from a medieval to a modern state Tomomi Iwakura – led the first of many missions to Europe and North AmericaTomomi Iwakura – led the first of many missions to Europe and North America studied foreign ways of life to choose the best Western civilization had to offerstudied foreign ways of life to choose the best Western civilization had to offer

Matthew Perry Entertaining Japanese Commissioners on Ship Matthew C. Perry c , in a photograph by Mathew Brady Perry’s Black ships

II. The Westernization of Japan (cont’d)  1) Government The nobility removed the shogun (the highest lord) from power and transferred full government control to Emperor Mutsuhito (Meiji)The nobility removed the shogun (the highest lord) from power and transferred full government control to Emperor Mutsuhito (Meiji) Meiji Restoration Meiji Restoration 1889 Constitution - autocratic govt.1889 Constitution - autocratic govt.  (model: Bismarck’s Germany) Cabinet: military leaders responsible to the emperor onlyCabinet: military leaders responsible to the emperor only The emperor was strengthened further by Shintoism, the state religion which began to preach his divine originThe emperor was strengthened further by Shintoism, the state religion which began to preach his divine origin

The Iwakura Mission and Emperor Mutsuhito The head of the mission was Iwakura Tomomi, shown in the picture wearing traditional Japanese clothing.

II. The Westernization of Japan (cont’d)  2) Military – the government created a powerful British-type navy and Prussian-type army  3) Education – the state began a compulsory public education system The Japanese became a highly literate peopleThe Japanese became a highly literate people  4) Agriculture – the nobles voluntarily surrendered their feudal privileges Peasants not bound to the soilPeasants not bound to the soil

II. The Westernization of Japan (cont’d)  5) Industry – the government encouraged a sweeping program of industrialization They borrowed little from European and American BanksThey borrowed little from European and American Banks They repaid their debts quicklyThey repaid their debts quickly

III. Japan Turns to Imperialism  Reasons:  1) Japan’s need for raw materials they wanted secure marketsthey wanted secure markets  2) nationalists seek honor and glory for the military They want Japan to become a “major power”They want Japan to become a “major power”  3) They have a lack of arable land Imperialism is an outlet for the populationImperialism is an outlet for the population  4) Japan in easy reach of Eastern Asia’s underdeveloped nations

IV. Japan Becomes an Imperialist Power  Early Events:  1) Sino-Japanese War ( ) Japan overwhelmed China and acquired Taiwan and a sphere of influence in Korea (in 1910 Japan annexed Korea)Japan overwhelmed China and acquired Taiwan and a sphere of influence in Korea (in 1910 Japan annexed Korea)  2) Russo-Japanese War ( ) Japan defeated Russia, to the world’s surprise – it gains territory from Russia through the Treaty of PortsmouthJapan defeated Russia, to the world’s surprise – it gains territory from Russia through the Treaty of Portsmouth  3) World War I ( ) Japan seized Germany’s possessions during WW1 – holdings in China + Pacific IslandsJapan seized Germany’s possessions during WW1 – holdings in China + Pacific Islands